When Jalen Brunson is there, everything goes! After missing two games for a calf problem, the Knicks leader is back, and his team takes advantage of the arrival of the Rockets to return to victory (109-94). A lovely gift for Tom Thibodeau, who was celebrating his 66th birthday.
From a balanced first quarter, we will remember the enormous “poster dunk” of Jabari Smith Jr on Isaiah Hartenstein. The Knicks interior is used to being in the photo… As for Brunson, he does Brunson, which involves hitting from afar, or scoring on a mid-distance “step back”. Under his leadership, the Knicks scored a 10-2 to take control at the start of the 2nd quarter (32-27).
On the Houston side, Fred VanVleet is having a good night, and he scores or makes score. Alperen Sengun is at the conclusion to stay in contact (38-37). The two teams are not letting go, and the Knicks need a new boost (7-0) from Donte DiVincenzo to take the lead at the break (48-47).
Anunoby cracks the Rockets
Returning from the locker room, same scenario… And then OG Anunoby comes out of his box. As often, he hits from the corner, and his two winning baskets allow the Knicks to launch a 20-9. And when he misses his lay-up, Julius Randle puts it back in (74-62). The Rockets cracked, and the Knicks hit the nail on the head with Jalen Brunson for the contact shot, Hartenstein to cover Jalen Green, and finally Anunoby with the dunk on Sengun. The 4th quarter sets Madison Square Garden on fire and the Knicks take a 17-point lead with five minutes remaining (98-81).
The Rockets will not return, and they suffer a 5th defeat in six matches in this “road trip”. For New York, it's a return to victory after two losses, without Brunson.
What you must remember
– Eight defeats in a row. For the 8th time in a row, the Rockets lose in New York! Even in the James Harden era, the Texans couldn't win at Madison Square Garden.
–Action Brunson. Author of 20 points in the second half, Jalen Brunson wins his duel with Fred VanVleet. The Rockets leader was good, but he ended up breaking down physically with Brunson who likes to make contact before shooting. Like on this basket, at the very end of the match, where they find themselves with four Rockets around him. And he scores! With the fault.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
